10 Things to do in London during May 2016

Many of our guests staying at The Apartments often ask us, what there is for them to do on in London and how they can best spend their time during their stay here. We’ve put together a list below on the best things to do in London during May 2016, with many of the events below running for longer if you plan on visiting us after then!

Exhibitionism: The Rolling Stones

Taking over the entire two floors of the Saatchi Gallery with 9 thematic galleries, EXHIBITIONISM combines over 500 original Stones’ artefacts, with striking cinematic and interactive technologies offering the most comprehensive and immersive insight into the band’s fascinating fifty year history. From never before seen dressing room and backstage paraphernalia to rare instruments; original stage designs, iconic costumes, rare audio tracks and video footage; personal diaries; poster and album cover artwork; and unique wraparound cinematic experiences that celebrate every aspect of their Careers. Centre stage is the musical heritage that took them from a London blues band in the early 1960s to inspirational cultural icons. The Rolling Stones have shaped popular culture, often in their own image, and this exhibition will offer a unique perspective that only the band’s own archive can provide. Collaborations and work by a vast array of artists, designers, musicians and writers will be included – from Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey, Alexander McQueen, and Ossie Clark to Tom Stoppard and Martin Scorsese.

Dans Le Noir? Otra Vista Social Club

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, dining-in-the-dark restaurant Dans le Noir where supper is served by blind guides, is inviting guests to dance on Friday nights for the Otra Vista Social Club. From 22 April 10pm?1am, there will be a ?silent? dancefloor with local and international DJs, and a pitch-black chill-out space.

SHAKESPEARE IN TEN ACTS

A landmark exhibition on the performances that made an icon, charting Shakespeare?s constant reinvention across the centuries. Journey through 400 years of history ? from the first productions of Hamlet and The Tempest ? to understand how Shakespeare?s plays have been transformed for new generations of theatre-goers. Imagine how audiences reacted to ground-breaking moments like the first stage appearance by a female actor in 1660 and the first British performance of Othello by a black actor in 1825. Experience the glamour of Vivien Leigh?s Lady Macbeth costume, the surprising circus prop from Peter Brook?s radical 1970s A Midsummer Night?s Dream, and the stunning detail of the award-winning costumes from Twelfth Night starring Mark Rylance, as performed at Shakespeare?s Globe. Shakespeare in Ten Acts showcases over 200 unique and rare items such as the only surviving play-script in Shakespeare?s hand, an authentic Shakespeare signature, the earliest printed edition of Hamlet from 1603 and Shakespeare?s First Folio.

SECRET CINEMA: 28 DAYS LATER

Secret Cinema Presents is bringing Danny Boyle?s 2002 British cult classic, 28 Days Later, to life. When Jim (Cillian Murphy), wakes from a coma to discover a deadly virus has infected London and society has all but collapsed, he must fight for survival in a world that has been torn apart by the infected.

Expect a fully immersive, cinematic experience that will bring you into the heart of a post-apocalyptic world. The event will run for 5 hours, and as well as a themed screening of the film, the audience will be taken into a fictional world, with actors, epic sets and interactive experiences that will give you the chance to live the horror for real.

THIS IS A VOICE at the Welcome Collection

‘THIS IS A VOICE’ looks inside vocal tracts, restless minds and speech devices to capture the elusive nature of the human voice.

This exhibition explores how the unique grain of our voice locates us socially, geographically and psychologically and how the voice is utterly flexible and can be altered with treatment and training.

Designed as an acoustic journey, the spotlight is cast on the meaning and emotions conveyed through the patterns of rhythm, stress and intonation. Non-verbal forms of communication are emphasised, revealing the power of the voice before and beyond words.

‘THIS IS A VOICE’ presents works by artists and vocalists, punctuated by paintings, manuscripts, medical illustrations and ethnographic objects. Download the gallery guide below.

Running Wild at Regents Park Open Air Theatre

The Open Air Theatre Season Kicks off on 13th May with Running Wild by By Michael Morpurgo.

For Will, going to Indonesia isn?t just another holiday with mum. It?s a new start, and the chance to ride an elephant called Oona. But then the tsunami hit.

Charging deep into the jungle, Oona escapes the beach with her young rider desperately clinging on. Miles from civilisation, at first there?s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures amongst the orang-utans. But, as thoughts turn to mum left behind on the beach, tigers prowl, hunger hits, and Will must now learn to survive the rainforest. Then come the hunters?

Clerkenwell Design Week

Celebrating its 7th year the award-winning CDW has firmly established itself as the UK?s leading independent design festival and annually attracts the international design community to this small area of London for three days of exciting events.

Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London every year since 1913, apart from gaps during the two World Wars. It?s the place to see cutting-edge garden design, new plants and find ideas to take home.

A Midsummer Night?s Dream at Shakespeare?s Globe

Fusing music, dance and some serious comedy, Emma Rice?s first production as Artistic Director brings the Dream crashing into the Globe?s magical setting. Naughty, tender, transgressive and surprising, it promises to be a festival of theatre. Let the joy begin!